Fall with Me (Playing for Keeps, #4)

by Becka Mack

I apologize profusely for my poorly behaved cat as I walk my date to the elevator, and then Mittens drapes himself over my shoulders on the couch and bops the shit out of my jaw with his cute little head while we eat snacks and watch One Tree Hill reruns. I couldn’t have asked for a better partner in crime.

I prop myself up at one end of the bar, as far from Lennon as possible. Her eyes narrow on mine, and I swear to God the little shit lifts her hand, scratching her nose with only her middle finger.

So I slip my hand into his, letting him help me back into his car. “Fine.” I narrow my eyes at his triumphant grin. “And don’t call me honey.” “I’ll try my best,” he says, hand above my head on the shell of the car as he bends to look me in the eyes. “My best’s never been all that good, though, honey.”

Carter rolls his eyes. “One of us thinks our little princess deserves ponies at her first birthday, and the other one of us is unreasonable.”

Came for the cat, stayed for the roommates to lovers storyline.

“Jaxon, I chose this song for you. It’s powerful, passionate, and moving, and I want to feel that energy emanating from every pore on your body.” “Okay, well, Bart’s already gone, so⁠—” He grips the back of my shirt, hauling me back in line the moment I step out of it. “Emanating.” I gulp. Nod. “Emanating.” He squeezes in beside me, closing his eyes, breathing deeply. “Showtime, Bitches.” Hey, remember a minute ago when I said there was no way in hell I’d regret this decision? Yeah, that was before the screen before us lights up, and the lyrics to “Unwritten” by Natasha Bedingfield start rolling up it.

But I don’t want to fall alone. I want her to fall with me.

Sarah gives me one more squeeze, thanks me for the ice cream, then starts up the steps. She pauses at the door. “Do you like me the way I am? Slow and messy and talking too much?” I smile. “I like you lots, just the way you are.” She grins, a beautiful sight. “My mom did too. She wrote it in a letter for me before her cancer got too bad. She said on the days where I felt unlovable, she hoped someone would remind me that I was. Thanks for making me feel lovable today, Jaxon. I hope your family helps you feel lovable on your hard days too.”

Carter changed the group chat name to Caution: The Tea Is Hot But Carter Is Scalding.

Carter said he missed Jaxon, and then his next sentence was let’s watch Shrek. He’s been going on and on about how Shrek reminds him of Jaxon, because of all his layers, and now he keeps referring to Jaxon as onion boy. Carter

Petition to change Jaxon’s name to Onion Boy.